5:15pm Monday 8th January 2007
Police have praised motorists who helped rescue those injured in a car crash which killed a 20-year-old Kings Langley man.
Rob Halford, of Meadow Way, died when his black Fiat Punto was involved in a three car pile-up on the Hemel Hempstead Road (A4147) on Saturday.
Mr Halford was driving towards the city with three passengers when, at approximately 9.15pm, a grey Toyota Celica travelling in the opposite direction crossed the carriageway and collided head-on with his vehicle.
Immediately afterwards, the Celica then clipped a black Ford Ka, which was also damaged.
The Punto burst into flames and all four occupants, plus the driver of the Celica - which was entangled in the wreckage - were rescued by other motorists who had stopped to help.
Mr Halford was certified dead at the scene and his passengers all sustained serious injuries. A 19-year-old female from Leverstock Green suffered a fractured collarbone, a 20-year-old male from Abbots Langley had internal injuries including broken ribs and another 20-year-old male from Kings Langley had severe facial injuries.
The Celica driver, who was not carrying any passengers, a 21-year-old male from Leverstock Green, sustained suspected fractures to both legs and was taken to Hemel Hempstead Hospital.
The 28-year-old female driver of the Ford Ka, who is from St Albans, also attended Hemel Hospital with whiplash and severe shock, and has since been discharged.
It is not known why the Celica veered across the road, but after the accident, the road was closed at both ends, and at junctions with Bluehouse Hill and King Harry Lane. The restrictions were lifted at 2.27am.
PC Julie Hudson has paid tribute to the motorists who risked their own lives to rescue the five people in the Punto and Celica.
She said: "If they hadn't been so immensely brave, we would have undoubtedly been looking at an even worse situation."
Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw any of the cars travelling prior to it.
Anyone with information should telephone 0845 3300222.
To pay tribute to the Kings Langley man who died in the crash, or praise the heroes who helped rescue the victims, click below on Add Your Comment.
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